maritime prize law

Maritime prize law governs the capture of enemy ships and cargo during wartime by naval forces. When a warship seizes a vessel, the captured ship can be brought to a prize court, which decides whether the seizure was lawful based on the circumstances of the capture and the ownership of the vessel. If justified, the prize may be awarded to the capturing naval force, with proceeds divided among the capturing crew and nation. This law aims to regulate conduct at sea and ensure fair treatment of neutral parties while acknowledging the realities of maritime warfare.